Focus on capex does not make Budget inflationary: Expenditure Secretary

We expect the cost of the vaccination to be Rs 700 per person. This includes the price of two shots at Rs 200-250 each, says Somanathan

Expenditure Secretary T V SOMANATHAN tells Dilasha Seth and Indivjal Dhasmana that the provision to the farm sector, despite imposition of agriculture infrastructure cess, is not higher in 2021-22 (FY22), compared to the Revised Estimates (RE) of 2020-21 (FY21) because some states have not participated in the biggest scheme in the sector — PM-Kisan. Edited excerpts:

Is Rs 35,000 crore allocated for Covid vaccination sufficient?   

We expect the cost of the vaccination to be Rs 700 per person. This includes the price of two shots at Rs 200-250 each. Then there are incidentals like cold storage, transportation, labour, syringes, etc. With